"WITH Beckett Clainfer again?" Joan repeated, blinking several times in surprise. "You had his name blocked from the newsletters earlier, and I've already done that. Why are you scheduling an appointment with him now?" "And since when do you have the right to question everything I ask you to do?" Vivianne retorted, her tone tinged with annoyance. "Just because you're Alfred's favorite doesn't mean you can act this way towards me. Perhaps you forget, I am still his daughter—the heir to the company you work for." Joan fell silent. She felt irritated by Vivianne's words, but she knew they were true. No matter what she did, she would always remain an employee. "I'm sorry, Ma'am Vivianne," she just apologized. Vivianne rolled her eyes and sighed. Even though Joan couldn't see her, she knew it was what her boss did. "Do it as soon as possible. I need to talk to him as soon as possible." "Okay, Ma'am Vivianne." "And make sure Alfred doesn't find out about this. Remember, if he finds out
MEANWHILE, Vivianne went to the Allamino Mansion. As soon as she entered the living room, Alfred was already there on the sofa, reading the newspaper and seemingly waiting for her arrival. "You knew I was coming, didn't you? Did that wench Joan report to you again?" Vivianne said before sitting on the couch across from Alfred. "She's a more decent conversationalist than you, so don't talk to her like that," her father reprimanded. "If only she were my only child, everything wouldn't be this difficult for me," he added. Vivianne rolled her eyes. "Then give her the company and the mafia. Do you think I'm chasing after your wealth acquired through evil deeds?" "It's wealth acquired through evil deeds, but you and your mother are also using it, Vivianne," Alfred replied. His voice was deep and menacing. "If it weren't for this money, do you think you could afford Ella's medical expenses? Even if you cried blood, you wouldn't be able to gather the amount needed to keep her body function
There is no use crying over spilled milk. That's what Vivianne kept repeating in her mind as she struggled to find a solution to the problem at hand. The situation isn't improving. The client is not even entertaining them, and Alfred's disappointment in her grows. This is further fueled by Joan's prodding of her father about Vivianne's ability to manage the Mafia. Alfred is repeatedly urged by Joan that Vivianne might need assistance in management, and Vivianne knows she'll recommend herself when her father agrees. “No need. My daughter needs to handle this alone, or else, she will rely on someone every time she faces problems. Just focus on your work and obey Vivianne's instructions,” her father said as he walked, checking other operations inside the warehouse. Vivianne grinned from behind her father after hearing his words. Joan glanced at her. Vivianne almost burst into laughter seeing her sullen face, but she managed to restrain herself. “Oh, did you hear that, Joan? Just fol
"Ma'am Fiona..." Vivianne called out softly to her former colleague. She didn't know what to say afterward. Even though Fiona never explicitly said it, she knew Fiona had never liked her from the beginning. Maybe because she knew what Vivianne was capable of... that she would eventually hurt Beckett when the time came. ‘If she's angry with me, there's nothing I can do about it,’ Vivianne consoled herself. She knew she didn't belong in the Syneverse from the start.But she didn't expect what happened next. Fiona quickly embraced her tightly. Vivianne's eyes widened and she couldn't move immediately. "M-Ma'am Fiona?""I don't know what happened between you and Beckett, and I don't want to ask either. I know he wants to go through things on his own..." Fiona said. There was sadness in her tone. "But do you know how chaotic Beckett's life became when you left?"Vivianne wasn't even surprised to hear that. She could feel Beckett's love. He was ready to give up everything for her, and tha
Vivianne felt as if her whole body had been scalded by that look, but she quickly dismissed it from her mind.“You know why.” Vivianne sat on the couch and crossed her legs. “You’re not usually like this. Your clients are often celebrities, but our top client isn’t. You have plenty of clients with your connections, so why did you have to take mine?”“It’s because business is business, Vivianne,” Beckett replied, tapping the table with his fingers. “Isn’t that what you said? It's just work, nothing personal.”Vivianne didn’t answer, making Beckett’s smirk widen.“Anyway, I didn’t expect you to know that it was me who stole your client that fast. But I was more shocked, seeing that you know about my illegal business. You’re stalking me. You’re still into me,” added Beckett.He suddenly grinned as if he was amused by the realization, while Vivianne just shook her head in exasperation. Beckett hadn't changed in that aspect. He was still difficult to read, and his mood could switch quickly
"OW. FUCK!" Beckett complained as Vivianne suddenly bumped her forehead against his. He winced, and so did Vivianne. That move was a double-edged sword, but it was effective. "Shit, are you okay—" "Don't come near me!" Vivianne suddenly shouted and lifted the long umbrella she saw beside the couch, preventing Beckett from finishing his sentence. "I swear, I'll hit you with this! Don't think I'm j-joking!" But instead of being scared, Beckett's grin only widened. He even chuckled slightly because of what the girl did. "Damn, baby. It seems like I get even more turned on when you're angry—" Vivianne raised the umbrella she was holding along with her sharp gaze. Beckett laughed again before raising both hands as if surrendering. "Fine. I’ll shut up, baby."
"Mom," Vivianne called out to her mother Ella with a furrowed brow. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting in your room?" she asked as she approached her mother, offering her support. "You might get hurt.""I'm just feeling weak, dear, but I managed to walk here," Ella smiled at her before pointing to the door. "Look, I was able to walk from my room to here. Somehow, I feel a bit better..."Ella suddenly struggled to speak. She also couldn't breathe properly. She had been feeling like this for a long time, and she didn't know why. She had no idea what was wrong with her. Maybe it was because Alfred had confined her here in the house, so her body couldn't take it anymore."Wow. Is that what feeling better looks like, Mom? Your forehead is already dripping with sweat," Vivianne sighed. She helped her mother sit d
"ARE YOU sure?" Alfred raised an eyebrow. "You got the client back from Beckett? I haven't received any calls yet." He looked at his phone to confirm."Maybe it's not processed yet. You know, that guy is busy. He's doing his jobs and businesses at the same time," Vivianne replied. "But I will call him again to remind him. Give me thirty minutes, and I will take back that client."Alfred didn't immediately respond. Instead, he just looked at Vivianne as if reading her mind. After a few seconds, he finally spoke."Make sure you're not bluffing," he said before leaving Vivianne alone in the gym.Vivianne sighed before taking her phone from her pocket. This is the last thing she wanted to do, but it's what she needed to do. Using her personal number, she called Beckett.
Alfred raised his right hand, and all the members of the Allamino mafia emerged. Beckett did the same, and his men who were hiding in the trees and bushes earlier also came out.Seeing how the two leaders are determined to clash with each other, it only means one thing: this place will be in bloodshed soon.And indeed it happened. The people between Beckett and Alfred started fighting. Blood flowed, and many lives were lost. It was a long-time war between the two of them, and Beckett won.Now they are face to face. Alfred is sitting on the ground, his body full of wounds and bruises from Beckett's beating, while Beckett is standing. His gun is pointed at Alfred.“I know you want to kill me… But why can’t you fucking pull the trigger?” Alfred asked, grinning. “Has your fear of killing people returned?”“Hah.” Beckett clicked his tongue, annoyed.But he didn't answer the question. The reason he didn't shoot Alfred was because of Vivianne. She was still sitting in the grass, but the ropes
In Alfred's anger, he approached Vivianne with large strides before grabbing the collar of her clothes. "Take back what you said.""I'm not your father to obey you." Vivianne grinned, especially when she saw the rage intensifying in Alfred's eyes. "I never considered you a father because I don't have a demon for a father like you—"Vivianne didn't finish her sentence because Alfred suddenly let go of her collar and slapped her. Not just once, but three times.Vivianne smiled painfully. The happy family she had dreamed of... She would never have that. And she needed to accept the painful truth."You have no manners! After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me? By fighting me and insulting me?!" Alfred's anger and shouts echoed throughout the entire office.Vivianne chuckled sarcastically. "I have no manners? And everything you did, you did for me? Why, did you even ask if I wanted to be in this situation?""You're ungrateful!"Alfred slapped her again, harder than befo
After that, they discussed their next plan all night. They agreed on one thing: they would rescue Ella from the hospital and inject her with the new medicine that Beckett had developed to wake her up.“I will distract Alfred and his men,” Beckett said, pointing to the right side of the footprint. “We will go here since Ella’s room is on the left side of the hospital. While we’re here, use the opportunity to escape with your mother.”“But that’s dangerous.” Vivianne shook her head. “Alfred might have prepared for this and could have you killed in the hospital. He can easily do that. Believe me.”“I believe you, but it doesn’t matter. What’s important for me right now is to save your mother and fulfill my promise to you…” Beckett kissed his wife’s forehead again. “So let’s do this… and see the end together.”THE NEXT DAY, it was time to execute the plan. Beckett was already in the parking lot, along with the men who would pose as doctors, nurses, and janitors if anything went wrong.He
Alfred went to the hospital afterward to check on Ella's condition. He’s making sure Ella will be alive, but not enough to wake her up. He will only get her treated once Vivianne follows his demands. But it seems fate is not on his side now, because he was shocked to see Vivianne just coming out of Ella's room, holding a large suitcase. “What does this mean?” Alfred asked in a deep and angry tone. “You’re leaving your mother for that man?” “I just said goodbye to her earlier, and I’m sure she’ll understand me,” Vivianne replied. “How can she understand if she's already dead?” “She won’t die.” Vivianne gritted her teeth but forced herself to stay calm. This was not the time to argue with her father. She was already exhausted from everything that had happened. “I’m leaving.” Vivianne took a step forward, thinking her father would not speak again, but she was wrong. “I’m giving you one last chance to take back what you said. Go back to the mansion and break up with Beckett,” Alfre
“TWENTY million dollars.”“Twenty million? Dollars? Are you out of your mind?!” Vivianne suddenly shouted when she realized what her husband intended to do. “No! That’s too much money! Just leave me here!”“Shut up, lady,” Raul said in a deep voice, frowning as he seemed annoyed by Vivianne's yelling in a language he didn’t understand.“Non maledire con mia moglie, Raul.” [Don’t curse at my wife.]Beckett didn’t like the way Raul reprimanded his wife, especially the tone of his voice. He glared at Raul but quickly calmed himself.“So, is this enough for you to buy guns from their organization?” Beckett asked, raising the diamond card. “You have collateral, and remember how I saved your ass when we were in elementary school?”Unbeknownst to everyone, Raul and Beckett were not just acquaintances. They were classmates back in the day, and when someone tried to beat up Raul because he didn’t know how to fight, Beckett saved him. They became best friends somehow after that, until they dec
"Don't talk shit with me. I know you're the reason she's missing." Beckett approached Alfred, his eyes filled with rage. "Where did you take her?""I don't know. Which part of that don't you understand?" Alfred slammed the newspaper down beside him before meeting Beckett's angry gaze. "And don't forget that you're in my territory. I could blow your brains out right now."Beckett smirked. "If you really planned to do that, you should have done it already.""I'll do it later, once I have all your wealth."Hearing Alfred's words, Beckett couldn't help but laugh. His suspicions were correct—Alfred had ulterior motives for agreeing to his marriage with Vivianne and for pretending to be cordial with him."Keep dreaming," Beckett whispered, his jaw clenching. "I will find her, no matter how long it takes. Mark my words, Alfred Allamino."Beckett turned to leave the mansion, but stopped when Alfred spoke again."Even if you do find her, can you be sure she's still alive by then?"Beckett turn
Beckett immediately hit the wall when he thought of that. He didn’t waste any more time. He quickly searched for paper and a pen to write down his thoughts.Fortunately, he still memorized the ingredients and knew the drugs that could interfere with the chemicals.Due to his endless thinking, the three days passed quickly for Beckett. He didn’t even realize that he was eating only twice a day and spent almost the entire day sitting on the edge, thinking.He had filled almost an entire notebook with writings and drawings of various things. Everything was settled, so all he needed to do when he got out was go to the warehouse and test all his ideas.“If what I’m thinking is correct, it means that the other drink Ella had taken is the reason why she went into a coma. It was also the reason for her nosebleed,” Beckett muttered while staring at his notebook.He was bothered by the events, but it wasn’t just the chemical in Ella’s body that made him uneasy. It was because of another realiza
Vivianne entered her mother's room. She sat by her side, silently crying. She couldn’t stay still because just a while ago she was able to talk to her mother properly, but now, she looked like a withered vegetable. Her skin was flushed, and she was lying bedridden.“Mom… I’m sorry,” she whispered to her mother, gently squeezing her hand.Vivianne felt that everything that happened was her fault. She couldn’t blame anyone else for this, but earlier she had exploded from the many problems she was going through.Her trauma hasn’t healed yet. She has major trust issues. She also knew that she shouldn’t have treated Beckett the way she did earlier, especially since he just wanted to help. But because of what happened, her walls were up again.“I’m sorry, Beckett…” she said, and soon after, her tears flowed freely.But unbeknownst to Vivianne, Beckett had followed her. He had already opened the door and was ready to enter, but when he saw how sad Vivianne was while looking at Ella and heard
Not long after, Beckett and Vivianne began doing the things they had planned in Agrianthropos. They also informed Ella about what was going to happen so she wouldn't be surprised when she started to feel pain in her heart.Now, they were at the Allamino mansion. They were alone because Alfred was in the office reading documents. The mother and daughter were eating dinner, and Vivianne had already put medicine in her drink.They were chatting while eating. Vivianne was discreetly checking the time. She and Beckett had planned this specifically, so they had a schedule to follow. Vivianne was waiting for it.“Child, I think it's time for me to watch my favorite KDRAMA,” Ella said.It was a code. Ella was asking if it was time for her to drink the water on the table which contained the medicine.Vivianne looked at the clock before nodding. “Yes, it's time, mom. I’ll take you back to your room after we finish eating.”“Alright.” Ella finished eating and then drank the water.Ella did not i